On September 30, 1962 a major milestone in radio drama came to an end with the final episode of the long running series, SUSPENSE, produced by Jim Widner. Ironically, the episode was titled “Devil Stone” and was the last dramatic radio play from a series that had its roots in the golden age of radio. What began as a “new series frankly dedicated to your horrification and entertainment” took on a life of its own mostly due to the talents of some outstanding producers and adaptations and original stories from the cream of mystery writers of the time. The golden age of radio was truly the golden age of SUSPENSE as show after show broadcast outstanding plays which were “calculated to intrigue…stir [the] nerves.” It was the series’ first producer, William Spier, who set the framework of rules…
“We Fix Space Junk” by Battle Bird Productions
‘We Fix Space Junk’ by Battle Bird Productions follows seasoned smuggler Kilner and reluctant fugitive Samantha as they travel the galaxy, dodging bullets and meeting strange and wonderful beings as they carry out odd jobs on the fringes of the law. A female-led sci-fi comedy sitcom set in the far future, in a high-tech, dystopian world, We Fix Space Junk draws on the sci-fi of the past, following in the footsteps of Harry Harrison and of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Equal parts love-letter to sci-fi and satire of the present-day, Space Junk is lovingly produced by Beth Crane and Hedley Knights of Battle Bird Productions. The first episode of Season Three sees Kilner, Samantha and Ms Lamb floating unprotected in space inside a neurotic lift. But DAX is on his way, and…
“Bird Woman, Sacajawea” by Lynn Rogoff
Bird Woman, Saacajawea is a magical realism, multi-episode AI video podcast drama series, is set in the early West. Sacajawea, discovers her shape-shifting powers as; part Woman & part Eagle. She fights alongside the Expeditioners making heart-wrenching choices between the Native world & Clark’s world, discovering her full powers & true destiny on our Expedition, as Bird Woman. Sacajawea a Shoshoni young woman is captured, pregnant & living among the Mandan tribe when Lewis & Clark Expedition arrives. They are looking for a translator when the expedition winters at the reservation. When the tribal elders persuade Captain Clark, they must take pregnant Sacajawea & her scurrilous, French fur trader husband, Charbonneau, the Captains are shocked. The chiefs clarify they will need to trade with the Shoshoni for horses for there is no waterway across the…
“Mickie McKinney: Boy Detective, Troubles with Teamwork” by R.L. Fink
I’m not allowed to toot my horn all the time, but this announcement seems worth a little fanfare. Mickie McKinney: Boy Detective, which is featured from time to time on this site, has taken the GOLD at the Wishing Shelf Book Awards!! Mickie McKinney is no longer Maple Ridge Middle School’s one and only private detective. Now there is a certain blonde by the name of Sam Hayes to share the office with, and the cases, who keeps giving away the candy! So when Angus McDermitt hires Mickie to help him ask Kailani Groom to the school dance, Mickie sees it as an opportunity to work one last solo case. Too bad for him, Kailani is the girl of his dreams. Chapter 1: The New Partner Mickie is learning to deal with someone else in…
“The Gathering” by Lewis Carter
Alternative Stories and Fake Realities is a podcast designed to promote new and original audio drama, poetry and writing from across the English speaking world. Working with themes we will produce high quality content aimed at providing new perspectives on existing stories and ideas as we bring fresh and original writing into the world. When Sasha and Gemma’s mother dies they are contacted by the mysterious solicitor Clark, with news that the rambling and isolated family home, Harrington Hall has been left to the sisters as part of the will. There’s a catch however: in order to gain their inheritance Sasha and Gemma must spend a night together in the abandoned house. Content warning : This drama contains strong language and depictions of peril and horror. In The Gathering by Lewis Carter you can hear…
“The Frost King, or, the Power of Love” by Louisa May Alcott
This week we will be listening to the Sleepy Bookshelf: classic works of fiction, adapted and narrated by host Elizabeth Grace to help you relax. Tonight, Elizabeth reads “Fable 1: The Frost King, or, the Power of Love” from Flower Fables, by Louisa May Alcott, originally published in 1854. This work contains wildly imaginative stories that grew out of Alcott’s experience as a storyteller to the children of her Concord, Connecticut, neighbors. Through these enticing encounters with fairies, elves, and animals, the author creates a foundation for young people based on the themes of love, kindness, and responsibility. These stories are part of a large body of fantasy fiction the author wrote throughout her career. Each story features adventures of elves and fairy sprites in fairyland and are imbued with the lushness of Alcott’s love…
“Oz 9” by Shannon Perry
Welcome back Fictional Cafe Listeners, up next we have “Oz 9” by Shannon Perry. On an otherwise unexceptional Tuesday in 2042, Gated Galaxies fired off 400 of its Oz 8000™ ships, each with 50,000 “resting guests” tucked into stasis pods, plus a skeleton crew of up to half-a-dozen total no-hopers. It was a win-win for G2, as they’re known, as the Oz 8000 model was about to be declared “unfit for journeying to the nearest 7-Eleven, much less interstellar space” and recalled. G2 had a very large fleet of the 8000s, and a slight head start on the recall, as they’d paid off the head inspector to delay her report by promising the ships would be stripped and sold for parts. Instead, the ships were spit-shined, outfitted with some black market YugoPods™, and space aboard quietly…
“Crogan’s Adventures” by Chris Schweizer
Happy 2023 Fictional Cafe Listeners! In honor of the New Year, I thought we’d start the year with a bang. “Crogan’s Adventures” by Chris Schweizer. From the pages of the award-winning graphic novel series comes Chris Schweizer’s The Crogan Adventures! Join us as we follow a line of heroes, villains, grifters and rogues – one extraordinary family’s journey through history! This episode, gunfighter Pyjama Ben Crogan has stared down death and danger with a quick draw and a fine moustache… but he has never faced an opponent quite like The Heart of Mabel Cottonshot! Starring Christopher MottAndrea LyonsGregg Taylor Amidst the spoils of battle, privateer Catfoot Crogan discovers something that will thrust him and his crew headfirst into the clutches of his most dangerous adversary! StarringScott Moyle as Catfoot CroganGregg Taylor as Admiral MonteroChristopher Mott as Tom DanderSloane Woodside as TheresaKevin Robinson as CarlosAndrea…
“A Holiday Visit” and “Christmas Holiday”
In celebration of the holidays, (and because I’m a sucker for a good story in front of a crackling fire), here are two vintage classics: “A Holiday Visit” and “Christmas Holiday,” performed by Chesterton Radio. There is a reason why the Golden Age of Radio is still the epitome of storytelling. There was a time when storytelling was a family event, when everyone would gather around the radio to hear the newest audio adventure, the sweet ending to a romantic tale. In times of hardship, radio brought a brief reprieve, in times of joy, additional cheer. So in honor of those long-gone days, please enjoy a few vintages voices from the past. A couple is in an accident on their way to visit her parents for Christmas. As they travel on foot through the snow…
“Residents of Proserpina Park” by Angela Yih
Residents of Proserpina Park is a fiction podcast focusing on mythological creatures mixed with a story just as wild as the past. Learn about creatures you’ve never heard before and follow Alina on her crazy journey to find the truth. Join Alina as she investigates a mysterious park in her town for a school assignment. What she finds there is more than she could possibly imagine. Our hero, Alina, returns to the park and learns more about mythical dogs and why they are perfect (or at least almost as perfect as Cerberus.) Alina sneaks her friend Drew into the park hoping to explore their childhood fantasies. Little do they know, the park has other plans. Residents of Proserpina Park is a production written and produced by Angela Yih. Directed by Angela Yih. Narrated by Vida…